iFrustrated
- Written by Jason Feinberg
- Published in Tips & Tricks
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Tips on buying a new computer.
What to buy?? Have you always been a PC user but that iMac is looking pretty nice?
Well, maybe we can make some sense to help your decision along.
Use the right tool for the job.
First ask yourself, what do I need this for?
01 Is this for personal, business or both?
02 Are you sharing this with other people?
03 How much do you want to spend?
04 Is there specific software you need?
05 Do you upgrade or replace?
If you are buying something for business then you need to take into consideration what your business is and what the requirements are. Some companies back end systems (servers, email, databases, etc) work better with specific operating systems over others (i.e. Windows/Mac). In fact some systems will only work with Windows or Mac (not both).
You might notice that I didn’t put down if you were accustom to a Mac or PC. Computer systems are becoming (if not already) much more internet/mobile friendly. This means that the user experience is similar in how information is accessed and how the applications operate. The Mac, in my opinion is still the easier system to learn and has much less risks to the outside world as far as security and viruses.
If you are purchasing this for personal use then I recommend testing each product. The Apple Stores are great for this and have a full compliment of “Apple Gurus” on hand to help.
Are you sharing?
Are you buying one computer or device for the home? Do you have children? Do you need extra security? Do they know how to use the system?
All of these are standard questions you should ask yourself.
If you are sharing the computer, consider the above questions. Make sure everyone can use it. More so, if someone spills water over the keyboard and shorts out the computer, did they just ruin your fishing pictures or the annual budget for the board meeting tomorrow?
Both Macs and PCs allow for multiple users and parental controls. Keep in mind, the PC is much more susceptible to security risks then the Mac. This is simply because there are virtually no viruses for the Mac.
How much?
A new computer can get very expensive fast. Budget yourself. What else do you need? A printer? Monitor? More memory? External devices? Take all of this into consideration plus the additional warranty (see below).
Specific Software.
The cost of the software should be figured into your purchase. If you are replacing a computer that is over 5 years old, chances are you will need to upgrade your software. Yes, we all know people who have photoshop and said they will give it to us but you need to understand. This is illegal and you will get caught. Software is much smarter then in the past. Play it safe and but it!
Upgrading or Replacing?
I don’t know to many people that upgrade. In the past, computers were very accessible to the interior parts. With the “All in one” computers and even the mac mini computers this isn’t necessarily the case. If you have a computer that is three years old or more consider this. By the time you are done buying a new processor, hard drive, video card, ram and anything else, you could have, in most cases, bought a new computer.
The Don't's
Don't buy the biggest and fastest
Big things come in small packages. Once you know what you are using the computer for, look at all of the software you will be using to find what the minimum hardware requirements are. When you have that information take the highest number of the memory requirements and multiply by four. This is how much memory (RAM) you should have. So if you plan to use Photoshop and the minimum requirement is 1GB, then the minimum you should consider is 4 GB
Don't buy the cheapest.
Typically the cheaper computers have the least bells and whistles. In most case, the next model up is will give you more bang for the buck. It will usually have more memory, a larger hard drive and possibly a faster processor for only a few hundred dollars more
Don't buy something you never heard of.
If you’ve ever heard “you’re paying for the name” well sometimes there is a reason for that. The most important thing when it comes to buying a computer is support. I’ll say it again…support!
Buy the extra warranty that is offered. Typically this will cover your computer for anything and everything for three years. The warranties usually run about $150-$200. While this may seem like a lot, a hard drive can cost $200. Memory can cost $200. Labor can cost $100-$200 per hour. But even more importantly is software support. Companies can charge the same amount per hour for software support. If you have the warranty then you pay nothing (Make sure the warranty covers software).
Research this! Are you going to be speaking to English speaking techs or broken English? Research, research, research!
Don't Wait.
Don’t wait to get a computer because you “think” they are coming out with the next model or it’s going to be better. The fact of the matter is technology moves to quickly to catch up. When a new computer is released they are already working on the next release. Plus, you run the risk of software and hardware that you currently use not being compatible.
A general rule of thumb is 6 to 9 months for a new product. But again, research what you are buying for compatibility. Yes, it is possible that you can buy something and the next day the next newest thing comes out.
Don't rule out the retailer
Of course you can order online, but…some retailers will have additional orders. They also (in most cases) have knowledgeable sales staff that can help you with your purchase. Once they give you a price, while you are in the store, go to the company website and go through the motions of placing the order to compare the online price vs. the store price. With the exception of only a few retailers, the sales person will probably beat the price.
I hope this helps!
